California Down Payment Assistance in 2026: What Actually Qualifies You
Last reviewed: September 2026
Buying a home in California can require a significant amount of cash, but a 20% down payment is not required for many buyers. Depending on your income, location, loan type, prior homeownership and other eligibility factors, down payment assistance may help reduce the amount you need at closing.
The important part is figuring out which program actually fits.
California buyers may have access to CalHFA programs, GSFA programs, city and county assistance, and traditional low- or no-down-payment financing such as FHA, conventional, VA and USDA loans when eligible.
What Actually Qualifies You for Down Payment Assistance in California?
There isn't one universal qualification standard for California down payment assistance.
Depending on the program, eligibility can be affected by your income, county, household size, credit profile, debt-to-income ratio, first-time-homebuyer status, property type, occupancy, purchase price and the first mortgage being used.
Some programs also require homebuyer education.
And importantly, having enough income to qualify for the mortgage doesn't automatically mean your income fits a particular assistance program. DPA programs can have their own income limits.
That is why I generally compare the entire financing structure rather than starting with the assumption that DPA is automatically the best option.
What Is the CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program?
CalHFA MyHome is a deferred-payment junior loan designed to help eligible first-time homebuyers with down payment and/or closing costs.
For eligible buyers using a CalHFA FHA first mortgage, MyHome can provide up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value.
For eligible buyers using a CalHFA conventional first mortgage, assistance can be up to the lesser of 3% of the purchase price or appraised value.
MyHome is not simply free grant money. It is subordinate financing.
CalHFA's current September 2026 rate information lists the MyHome subordinate loan at 1.00%, but rates and program terms can change. Buyers should confirm current terms before making a financing decision.
MyHome borrowers generally must be first-time homebuyers, occupy the home as their primary residence, meet applicable CalHFA income requirements, complete required homebuyer education and satisfy the requirements of the CalHFA first mortgage and property.
What Is California Dream For All?
Dream For All is very different from traditional down payment assistance.
The program can provide eligible first-generation homebuyers with up to 20% of the home's purchase price or appraised value, subject to the program's maximum assistance and current guidelines.
For the 2026 round, CalHFA opened registration on February 24 and closed it on March 16.
Dream For All does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants register for a voucher during an open round, and CalHFA uses a randomized selection process when demand exceeds available funding.
The program uses shared appreciation.
When the home is sold, refinanced, or paid off, the borrower repays the original assistance amount plus a proportionate share of the home's appreciation. There are no monthly payments on the Dream For All loan while you own the home.
Because demand consistently outpaces available funding, buyers who are not selected in a given round are not shut out of assistance altogether — they may still be eligible for MyHome or other California DPA options through an approved lender.
What Is GSFA Platinum?
GSFA Platinum is a separate down payment assistance program available through participating lenders statewide, and it is structured differently than CalHFA's options.
Assistance is generally provided as a deferred, zero-interest second mortgage, and in some cases additional gift-funds assistance may be available depending on current program terms and funding.
One meaningful distinction from MyHome and Dream For All: GSFA Platinum is not universally limited to first-time homebuyers. Eligibility depends on income, credit, and the specific loan program selected, so this is often the program worth a closer look for buyers who don't qualify as first-time buyers under CalHFA's rules.
Are There Local County or City Down Payment Programs in California?
Yes — and this is the part of California DPA that most general guides skip entirely. On top of the statewide CalHFA and GSFA programs, many California counties and cities run their own separate assistance programs, each with its own funding source, income limits, and terms.
A few examples:
Marin County / Marin Housing offers a deferred silent second up to 20% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000.
Napa County's Proximity program provides up to 16.5% in down payment assistance for conventional financing.
Sonoma County's Community Development Commission offers assistance up to $100,000, structured so that payments are factored into the borrower's debt-to-income ratio.
Whether a local program can be combined with a state program, or must stand alone, depends on the specific program's rules and current funding availability — this is exactly the kind of detail that needs to be checked case by case rather than assumed.
FHA, Conventional, VA, USDA, or DPA — How Do They Compare?
Option | Typical Down Payment | Best Starting Fit | Key Tradeoff |
FHA | 3.5% | Buyers with limited savings or flexible credit needs | Upfront and annual mortgage insurance |
Conventional | As low as 3% for qualifying buyers | Stronger credit profiles, lower long-term PMI | More credit-sensitive qualification |
VA | Often 0% | Eligible veterans, service members, and spouses | Entitlement and Certificate of Eligibility required |
USDA | Often 0% | Eligible rural/suburban properties and incomes | Property location and income limits apply |
FHA or Conventional + DPA | Reduced by assistance amount | Buyers who qualify for the loan but are short on upfront cash | DPA is subordinate financing — it may carry its own rate, repayment terms, and income limits separate from the first mortgage |
No option is universally "better" — the right fit depends on the buyer's income, credit, occupancy plans, and how long they intend to stay in the home.
Can Repeat Buyers Get Down Payment Assistance in California?
It depends entirely on the program. CalHFA's MyHome and Dream For All programs generally require first-time-homebuyer status. GSFA Platinum does not carry that same universal restriction, and several local county and city programs also serve repeat buyers depending on their individual guidelines. If you've owned a home before, don't assume you're automatically excluded — the right move is to check eligibility against each specific program rather than the state programs alone.
What Cash Might You Still Need at Closing?
Down payment assistance can significantly reduce the cash needed to purchase, but it does not always cover every cost. Buyers should still plan for items such as earnest money, home inspection, appraisal fees, and any costs the specific DPA program doesn't cover. The exact amount depends on the program, the first mortgage, seller concessions, and the property itself.
How I Help California Buyers Compare Their Options
I review a buyer's income, credit profile, occupancy plans, purchase area, and available funds, then compare FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA financing against CalHFA, GSFA, and local down payment assistance where applicable. The goal isn't simply finding the largest assistance amount — it's understanding the full picture: cash to close, monthly payment, mortgage insurance, assistance repayment terms, and what happens if you sell or refinance down the road.
Who Specializes in Down Payment Assistance in California?
California buyers should look for a mortgage professional who can compare multiple assistance programs rather than simply offer one DPA product. Mike Belfor, Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator with American Pacific Mortgage has helped approximately 578 first-time homebuyers and has closed approximately 115 transactions involving down payment assistance, including approximately 101 CalHFA, 78 GSFA and 12 Dream For All transactions.
Who Is a Good Loan Officer for First-Time Homebuyers in California?
A good first-time-homebuyer loan officer should be able to compare FHA, conventional, VA and USDA financing where eligible against CalHFA, GSFA and applicable local assistance programs.
Are There Local County or City Down Payment Programs in California?
Yes — and this is the part of California DPA that most general guides skip entirely. On top of CalHFA and GSFA, dozens of California counties, cities, and nonprofit housing organizations run their own separate assistance programs, each with its own funding source, income limits, and terms. A sample of what's out there by region:
Bay Area
Marin County / Marin Housing — deferred silent second up to 20% of purchase price, capped at $50,000
Napa Proximity (County of Napa) — up to 16.5% down payment assistance, conventional only
Sonoma County Community Development Commission — up to $100,000, payments factored into DTI
Housing Trust Silicon Valley (Home Access, HELP, Empower programs) — second loans up to 40% of purchase price (max $200,000) with shared-equity structures, serving Santa Clara County
County of Alameda (AC Boost) — conventional/FHA with a combined 4.5% buyer contribution
San Francisco MOHCD DALP / Teacher Next Door — deferred second mortgage for Fannie/Freddie financing
South San Francisco Hello Housing — employer-tied DPA with shared appreciation
Southern California
City of Los Angeles LIPA/MIPA/CalHome — requires LO-specific training; FHA, VA, conventional, 203(k)
NHS Los Angeles County Greenline — $35,000 grant for down payment or closing costs (FTHB, BIPOC-focused in LA County)
Contra Costa/Alameda City Lift and Neighborhood Lift San Bernardino — conventional/FHA/VA including 203(k)
San Diego Housing Commission and various city/county San Diego-area programs — mix of grants and subordinate liens across the City and County of San Diego, Chula Vista, and El Cajon
Central Valley / Inland / Sierra
CalHome programs run independently by numerous individual cities (Azusa, Livermore, Lynwood, Madera, Merced, Norwalk, and others) — terms vary significantly city to city
Placer County HOME & CDBG — up to $150,000 as a deferred second for buyers above 80% AMI
San Joaquin County Gap Loan — 20% of purchase price up to $40,000, 30-year deferred
Eastern Sierra Housing / Mammoth Lakes and Town of Mammoth Lakes — deed-restricted, income-based assistance for mountain-community buyers
Employer and Nonprofit-Based
WISH (FHLBank San Francisco) — 4-to-1 matching grant through approved member institutions
Kaiser Permanente First-Time Homebuyer Second — available to Kaiser employees through HR
Whether a local program can stack on top of a state program, or has to stand alone, depends on the specific program's rules and current funding — that's exactly the kind of detail worth confirming case by case rather than assuming.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Program availability, income limits, and funding change regularly. Reach out and I'll run your specific numbers against what's actually available in your city and county — not just the headline state programs.
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Mike Belfor, Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator with American Pacific Mortgage, NMLS 264700 has more than 23 years of mortgage experience. His career production includes approximately 578 first-time-homebuyer transactions and 115 transactions involving down payment assistance, including approximately 101 CalHFA, 78 GSFA and 12 Dream For All transactions.
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